Abstract: CD24-positive malignant and benign tumors are treated by administration of a naturally occurring or modified oncolytic Zika virus. Diseases associated with abnormal T cell activation or T cell-mediated autoimmunity, wherein CD24 expression is increased, are also expected to be treated by administration of a naturally occurring or modified oncolytic Zika virus. Also contemplated are compounds and methods for treating and/or preventing Zika virus infection in a subject.

Abstract: A head cradle for supporting a head of a patient during surgery when the patient is in a prone position. The head cradle includes a structural member with a body having a concave profile, a first end and a second end. The body has a forehead portion positioned at the first end for supporting a forehead of a patient and at least one cheek portion for supporting a cheek of the patient. The body includes an aperture defined through the structural member adjacent to the forehead portion between the first end and the second end. The structural member is sized to terminate at a position at or superior to a chin of the patient. A support member is provided to be received by the structural member and to interface with at least a portion of a face of the patient.

Abstract: Skeletonized blood vessels for use as vascular grafts are protected from biomechanical injury and/or certain cellular and extracellular changes by application of a biocompatible hydrogel to the vessel exterior. The hydrogel may be applied to the vessel graft before or after harvesting from a donor patient.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of detecting cerebral palsy in a subject. The method includes: determining a methylation state for each of a plurality of cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) sites in a sample obtained from the subject, calculating a differential methylation level based on the methylation states of the plurality of CpG sites, and comparing the differential methylation level to a predetermined reference level. When the differential methylation level deviates from the predetermined reference level, the presence of cerebral palsy is indicated in the patient.

Abstract: Skeletonized blood vessels for use as vascular grafts are protected from biomechanical injury and/or certain cellular and extracellular changes by application of a biocompatible hydrogel to the vessel exterior. The hydrogel may be applied to the vessel graft before or after harvesting from a donor patient.

Abstract: A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) contains a human Fc?RI? extracellular domain or a mutant Fc?RI? extracellular domain that has a reduced binding affinity for human IgE compared to wild type human Fc?RI? extracellular domain. The CAR further contains an intracellular signaling domain comprising at least one immunoreceptor-based activation motif (ITAM). The CAR may further comprise a costimulatory signaling domain, such as an intracellular domain of at least one of the costimulatory molecules 4-1BB, CD27, CD28, CD134 or ICOS. T cells transduced with vectors encoding the CAR are used in CAR-based adoptive T-cell therapy for targeting IgE-expressing B cells and treating IgE-mediated allergic diseases.

Abstract: A gravity-balance device, which may be an orthotic support, has a support, a lever pivotally mounted on the support, a spring extending from the support to the lever, and a cam mounted on one of the lever and the support. The cam is positioned so that the spring wraps round the cam as the lever pivots, altering the effective point of action of the spring. A thing being supported can hang from the lever. The thing may be a sling supporting a human arm parallel to the lever, so that the spring compensates for the weight of the arm as the arm is raised and lowered. The cam may be a smooth curve, a polygon, or a row of pins at the corners of an imaginary polygon.

Abstract: A retractor for use in lingual frenotomy has a tapered hollow shield, having a closed distal end and an open proximal rim, a groove opening through the distal end to seat over the lingual frenulum, and a handle extending from the proximal rim in line with the groove.

Abstract: The presence of phosphorylated Cdc27 in cancer cells is utilized to identify patients likely to benefit from treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent that binds to, or binds to and crosslinks, phosphorylated Cdc27, e.g., curcumin, or to determine whether patients undergoing such treatment will continue to respond effectively. Candidate compounds are screened for anticancer effect by testing the ability to bind to or crosslink phosphorylated Cdc27.

Abstract: An orthodontic compliance monitor includes a sensor that senses when an orthodontic appliance is properly positioned and a processor that processes an output of the sensor and generates compliance data. A memory device stores compliance data and the processor generates the compliance data based on a compliance protocol. System and methods for orthodontic compliance are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted wound healing device is provided comprising an airtight hollow conical member surrounding a skin-breaching bone stabilization device, and a port for attaching a suction tube. The conical member has an opening at one end conforming to the circumference of the shaft of a bone stabilization device, and a opening at the other end to enclose a wound in a patient's skin surrounding the bone stabilization device. The device may be used to provide controlled reduced pressure to the wound site, reducing healing time and risk of infection.

Abstract: A system for unilateral lung ventilation includes an endotracheal tube and a blocking device for blocking the bronchus of a non-ventilated lung to prevent a ventilation medium from entering the lung. The blocking device includes an inflatable member supported by a catheter having an inflation lumen for inflating the inflatable member. The catheter includes at least one lung treatment lumen for delivering a therapeutic agent to the non-ventilated lung. An inner channel within the main channel and a side branch provide a guideway for the blocking device within the tube. A valve may be included to close the side branch when the blocking device is removed from the inner channel for parallel flow of ventilating gas in the main and inner channels. A method of using the system provides for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) matching by respectively delivering cooled air and nitric oxide to the non-ventilated and ventilated lungs.

Abstract: Force-controlled autodistraction for lengthening a bone is disclosed. A distractor is coupled to first and second fixators that are coupled to first and second portions of the bone, respectively, on opposite sides of an osteotomy of the bone. A motor produces a motion of the first fixator relative to the second fixator such that the first portion of the bone is distracted from the second portion of the bone. A force sensor measures a resistant force to the motion, and a distractor displacement sensor measures a distractor displacement. A controller is operably coupled to the force sensor, the distractor displacement sensor, and the motor. The controller is configured to determine a variable limb stiffness using the resistant force, the distractor displacement, and a known distractor stiffness of the distractor, and to adjust a gain of the motor such that the variable limb stiffness matches a desired limb stiffness.

Abstract: Apparatus, computer readable medium, and a method for clinician decision support for behavior modification of a patient, the method including in response to receiving information identifying the patient, retrieving stored patient data from a database, and displaying portions of the retrieved patient data for a clinician to update during a clinical session; and, in response to receiving a selection for finding a new target behavior to achieve the goals of the patient, displaying a plurality of target behaviors for the patient to achieve the goals of the patient; and, in response to receiving a selection of one of the plurality of displayed target behaviors as the new target behavior, adding the selected one of the plurality of displayed target behaviors to the target behaviors of the patient. The method may facilitate the conduct of behavioral modification counseling by eliciting patient feedback and recording patient progress in negotiated tasks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting respiration extrathoracically, particularly useful for augmenting respiration in neonatal patients, including providing a positive pressure to a torso area of a patient. The positive pressure may be delivered to the torso area of the patient while the torso area is exposed to an ambient pressure, such as by providing positive pressure with high frequency gas jets that are positioned in proximity to the torso area. The positive pressure may be delivered to different parts of the torso area of the patient at different times, such as by controlling gas jets independently. The positive pressure may also be controlled in coordination with a gas flow and concentration to the patient's airway, such as by increasing the positive pressure as a gas flow pressure delivered to the patient's airway is reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for diagnosing risk of low BMD and risk of osteoporosis based on the detection of SNP identity for human chromosome 1p36 polymorphisms designated in the NCBI SNP database (dbSNP) as rs2794328, rs446529, rs397559 and rs1802353.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to materials and methods for diagnosing and/or determining the prognosis and likelihood of developing asthma. In one embodiment, methods of the invention comprise the use of single nucleotide polymorphic markers of asthma. Markers of the invention are present in the atria natriuretic peptide (NPPA) gene, and serve as a marker for genetic susceptibility of a person or animal in developing asthma.

Abstract: A method and composition for administering leptin to a subject. The invention includes suspending isolated native leptin-containing milk fat globules in a suitable medium for administering to a subject. The suspended milk fat globules may be administered orally as well as by intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitone41, other enteral routes of administration, and other parenteral routes of administration. The invention includes a method for treating growth or maturational-related disorders in newborns as, well as subjects having conditions that can be treated by the administration of leptin.

Abstract: An adjustable neonatal airway stent for use in the airways of a neonate is provided. The stent may include a flexible mesh member having a generally cylindrical shape and size that is capable of being delivered to a neonatal airway. The mesh member may include overlapping inner and outer portions, where the inner portion is adjacent to an inner edge of the flexible mesh. Further, the stent may include a plurality of locking projections that extend outwardly from the inner portion and are capable of engaging the mesh of the overlapping outer portion to prevent contraction of the stent, while allowing expansion of the stent to at least one diameter when implanted in a neonatal airway. The projections may include angularly extending tips, and the stent may be expandable to a second diameter greater than the first diameter in situ.